France Guide: Property
Buying property isn't easy anywhere, but it gets even more complicated if you have to deal with an unknown property market and legal restrictions of a foreign country. Read our property guide to get a good start – and to avoid mistakes you might later regret.-
Research How to find your dream property in France
A successful property purchase in France is much more likely if you thoroughly investigate the various regions, the types of property available, prices and relative values, and the procedure for buying property in France. more » -
Legal Advice Don't buy a home without it
The vast majority of people who buy homes in France don’t obtain independent legal advice, and most of those who experience problems have taken no precautions whatsoever. more » -
Estate Agents How to deal with French property agents
Only some 50 per cent of property sales in France are handled by estate agents (agent immobilier). However, where foreign buyers are concerned, the vast majority of sales are made through agents or handled by notaires. more » -
Contracts Contracts for buying property in France
The first stage in buying a home in France is the signing of a preliminary contract. The notaire is responsible for ensuring that the contract is drawn up correctly and that the purchase price is paid to the vendor. more » -
Mortgages What you should know about mortgages in France
Mortgages or home loans (hypothèque) are available from all major French banks (for both residents and non-residents) and many foreign banks. The French post office also offers mortgages, but you must have been contributing to a plan or compte d’épargne logement for at least 18 months to qualify. more » -
Conveyancing Transferring ownership of a property in France
Conveyancing (the legal term is conveyance, but conveyancing is more commonly used) is the processing of paperwork involved in buying and selling property and transferring the deeds of ownership. more » -
Property Fees Additional costs on your property purchase
A variety of fees (also called closing or completion costs) are payable when you buy a property in France, which vary considerably according to the price, the age of the property, whether you’re buying via an agent (as opposed to buying direct from the vendor), whether you’ve employed a lawyer and surveyor, and whether you have a French or foreign mortgage. more »